Stephen Downes

The lack of a decent digital identity system has to my mind slowed the adoption of numerous online services, and most especially, creation and presenting of digital credentials. This is changing with the European Digital ID and, as described here, the Gov.UK Wallet. Robin Tombs comments, "a highly adopted Gov wallet under this 'model' means it will be hard for 1 or 2 private brands who gain high network market share, to over exploit their position." Over-exploitation is the likely scenario in the U.S., which has long eschewed government digital ID programs, though there are signs of change. I am hopeful Canada will follow the European path, which will likely be shared by the rest of the world over time.